Clip for writing implements or the like



pt- 1933. B. w. HANLE 1,926,852

CLIP FOR WRITING IMPLEMENTS OR THE LIKE Filed May 51,1932

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INVENTOR .Bezy'amin Wbazzle ATTORNEYS *I FICE j iiira rrE s raiser CLIP FOE Q RITINGHMPLEMENTS OR THE LIKE Benjamin l7]; Harrie, Elizabeth, N. J., assignor to Eagle Pencil Company, New York, N. Y.,'a cerpcration of Delaware 7 Application May 31, 1932. Serial No. 614,492

14 Claims. (01. 24 '11) My present invention is concernedwitha clip which disposes the two ends ofthe spring in genof the character commonly employed in 'conerally parallel planes. This offset portion exjunction with fountain pens, pencils and other tends through the usual slot in a pen cap orthe elongated instruments or instrument cases for like and the inner end of the springmay be holding them securely in the pocket'of the user. locked in the cap by the use of the conventional 60 An object of the invention is to provide a clip hollow plug force-fitted into the cap. The opof this character which will assure a firm grip pcsite end of the spring lies in parallelisrnwith upon the fabric which it engages and which will but spaced from the cap or barrel of the instrunot lose its resiliency or become permanently ment and its end is preferably tapered so that it distorted even after prolonged periods of use and may conveniently enter a slot in the clip proper 65 eventhough the clip is subjected to severe temand overlie a depressed portion of the clip adporary distortion by sliding it over abnormally jacent said slot. Theclip atits top is preferthick or heavy fabrics.

- ably shaped to overlie and conceal the project- Another object is to provide a clip in which ing end ofthe offset and to prevent relative laterthe desired tensionis so applied by a tempered a1 movement of clip and spring. 7'0

' steel spring that the clip proper need have but The spring and clipfare assembled by a comlittle inherent resilience. pound rocking and sliding movement to intro- Another objectcis to provide a device of this duce the tapered end of the spring into the slot character which will entirely obviate theneedfor in the clip. The anchoring end of the spring diiiicult, time consuming or expensive assembly may then be introduced through the slot in the 75 operations for securing the clip and spring to barrel and lockedby the plug. As an incident gether and specifically to provide a construction of such locking the clip is automatically secured which avoids the need for using tiny light rivets against"displacement in anydirection except for this purpose (which are difiicultto handle) in-a direction to causeflexure and tensioning of 5 and likewise will do away with the necessity for the spring'since with the parts assembled the cap so special bending operations-upon either the clip positively blocks the reverse rocking and sliding or the spring in order to interlock the two tomovement necessary to effect disassembly. gether. Engagement with the tapered end of the spring:

Another object is to provide a device of this prevents axial movement of the clip in one direccharacter in which spring and clip may be pretion. That portion of the clip. which .overlies 85 assembled by a simplemanual operation and are and embraces the offset position of the spring locked in such assembled relationship as an inprevents axialmovement of the clip in the cident of anchoring the spring to the instruments other direction or swivelling movement of the this latter operation also being preferably effectclip about the spring end'as a center.

ed without the use of screws, rivets or similar If desired, the exposed tapered end of the 90 securing devices. l spring may be enamelled and lies flush with the Another object is to provide a'spring and clip clip and when so treated simulates a decorative assemblage which despite the absence of any inlay. special securing means are so interlocked with The invention may be more fully understood respect "to each other thatthe clip-is positively from the following description in connection 95 restrained against movement in anydirection with the accompanying drawing wherein:- save in a direction to cause flexure and tension- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a fountain pen ing of the spring. cap showing the clip in front elevation,

Another object is to so interrelate the spring Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig l but taken at and clip that a portion of the spring contrasting right angles thereto and showing the clip in edge in color with the clip is exposed through the lat- View, ter; adding to the attractiveness of appearance. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal sectional view on the line of the device, by simulating a decorative inlay. 3 '-3 of Fig. '1,

Other and more general objects are to provide Fig. i is a rear elevational view of the clip a device of the character notedwhich is'simple and spring pie-assembled prior to their applicaand practical in construction, rugged and durable tion to the cap.

in use and well suited to meet the requirements of Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view economicalmanufacture. on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

The spring preferably consists of a length oi Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional 11 fiat tempered steel stock having'a central offs'etdetail on the line 66 of Fig. 3,

respondingly Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the clip and spring illustrating the manner in which the spring is rocked and slid into pie-assembled relationship with the clip, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the conventional locking plug which secures the spring in place.

As suggested above the particular type of writing or other implement with which the clip is used is largely immaterial to the present invention but the clip has been illustratively shown as applied to a standard type of cap 10 for a fountain pen, the barrel of the pen being illustrated at 11.

The cap 10 is provided with acircumferential slot 12 of a length approximately equal to the width of the tempered spring indicated generally at 13. This spring includes an anchoring end 14 and a clip engaging end 15 integrally connected together by an angularly offset portion 16.

trernity 13.

The anchoring end 14 of the spring is introduced through the slot 12 in the cap and the spring-is rocked on the offset 16 until the end 14 lies against the inner surface. of the cap, in which position it is secured by a standard force-fitted tubular locking plug 17 having a fiat side 13 to accommodate the spring end 14.

With the spring thus applied the offset portion 16 thereof projects a sufficient distance outwardly beyond the cap to dispose the clip engaging end 15 of the spring in generally parallel spaced relationship to the cap. i

The triangular pointed extremity 13 of the spring is slightly offset as'indicated'at 19 from portion 15 and the clip designated generally at 20v is formed intermediate its ends with a cortriangularly shaped depressed pocket or recess 21 this pocket at its wider upper end affording a slot 22 to receive tip, 13 which lies in the recess fiush with the clip.

The clip is of generally tapering construction from end to end, its lower end being formed as is customary, with a plurality of prongs or ears 23a which are bent in conventional fashion to afford a hollow ball or knob 23 contacting the pen cap. At its upper wider end the clip is curved over affording a portion 24 which overlies the projecting part of thespring offset 16. I

The curved end 251 of the spring preferably terminates in a concavely curved edge 24a which follows the contour of and lies snugly against the exterior of the cap. Merging into the curved portion 24 and pendant therefrom are a pair of ears 25 which extend below the offset portion 16 of the spring and conceal such portion as well as serve a mechanical function which will be later explained.

The spring and the clip are shaped and bent by suitable machinery into the form illustrated prior to their engagement with each other and no subsequent shaping ,orbending of either of them is necessary. The parts are interengaged in the manner illustrated in Fig. '1 by inserting the pointed end'l3 of the spring through the slot 22 in the clip and by a compound rocking and sliding movement advancing the end 15 of the spring against the inner face of the clip so that the curved clip portion 24 lies against the curved offset portion 16 of the spring. The end 14 of the spring is then introduced through the slit 12 in the barrel and the locking plug 17 is applied.

Portion 15 may taper somewhat through, out its length and terminates in a pointed ex- With the inner end of the spring thus secured, the clip is not only locked against disengagement from the spring but against any relative movement or play with respect thereto.

As best seen in Fig. 3 axial upward movement of the clip is prevented by the pointed extremity 13 of the spring which engages the lower tapering walls of the pocket 21 and by the offset 19 of the spring which engages the lower wall of the slot 22 of the clip. Axial downward movement of the clip is prevented by the engagement of the rounded upper end 24 thereof with the offset portion 16 of the spring. Any tendency of the clip to rock orswivel laterally about the point 18 is prevented not only by the snug engagement of the clip edge 24a with the pen barrel but is positively blocked by the cars 25. The cap itself blocks the reverse relative rocking movement of the clip and spring which would; be necessary to accomplish their disassembly.

The spring is made of any suitable tempered metal and at least the portion thereof which is exposed through the clip is preferably enainclled or otherwise colored in contrast with the material of the clip (the latter if not of precious metal being usually plated to simulate it). This tri angular exposed end of the spring which lies flush with the clip body afiords aneifective imitation of an enamelled inlay (typically an inlaid escutcheon plate).

The clip itself may be made of any suitable material whichis sufficiently hard to prevent permanent distortion under light bending stresses, it being understood that the spring itself will furnish all of the resilience necessary to swing the clip against the pen capafter the lower end of the clip has been displaced to accommodate the edge of a pocket or other fabric between itself and the cap.

The snug fit of clip edge 24a against the cap is important because this fit creates the illusion that the clip actually enters the cap, and gives the desired expensive appearance while permitting saving of precious metal in the trimming of the pen.

It will thus be seen that there is herein (18-' scribed a device in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which in its action attains the various objects of the inven-' tion and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently Widely different embodiments of this invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure Letters Patent 1s:-

1. In an attachment for fountain pen caps or the like, a spring including a portion to lie within and be concealed by the cap and be secured by a bushing fitted into the cap, a portion for disposition exteriorlyof the cap in generally parallel spaced relationship thereto and a portion connecting said first mentioned portions and adapted to extend through a slot in the cap, a clip so preassernbled with said exposed portion of the spring that it is automatically. secured against "disassembly therefrom by abutment with the cap as an incident of securing said first mentioned portion of the spring to the cap.

tempered spring of flat stock ha ving a pair of oppositely extending ends disposed in generally parallel planes, an oiiset portion integrally connecting said ends, one end of said spring being.

adapted to lie within a pen-cap or the like means for securing saidend in suchposition and the otEr endor said springbeingadapted to lie in spaced parallel relationship with-the cap externaily thereof and a clip including a portion slotted to engage and interlock with the exposed end of the spring, and a portion to embrace and conceal the projecting part of the offset.

4. A device of theclass described, including a tempered spring of flat stock having a pair of oppositely extending ends disposed in generally parallel planes, an offset portion integrally connecting said ends, one end or said spring being adapted to lie within a pen cap or the like means for securing said end in such position and the other end of said spring being adapted to lie in spaced parallel relationship with the cap externally thereof, a clip including a portion slotted to engage and interlock with the exposed end of the spring, and a portion to embrace and conceal the projecting part of the offset.

5. A device of the class described, including a tempered spring of flat; stock having a pair of oppositely extending ends disposed in generally parallel planes, an ofiset portion integrally connecting said ends, one end of'said spring being adapted to liewithin a pen cap or the like means for securing said end in such position and the other end of said spring being adapted to lie in spaced parallel relationship with the cap externally thereof and a clip including a portion slotted to engage and interlock with the exposed end of the spring, and a portion to embrace and conceal the projecting part of the offset, said clip having a recessed portion adjacent the slot therein and the extremity of the spring being offset from the adjacent portion thereof whereby the spring end overlies part of the clip and is sub stantially flush with the body of the latter.

6. A device of the class described, including a tempered spring of flat stockhaving a pair of oppositely extending ends disposed in generally parallel planes, an offset portion integrally conhaving a recessed portion adjacent the slot therein and the extremity of the spring being oiiset from the adjacent portion thereof whereby the spring end overlies part of the clip and is substantially flush with the body of the latter, said spring end being of color contrastingwith the color of the clip whereby to simulate an inlaid escutcheon plate.

'Z. A device of the class described, including a tempered spring of flat stock having a pair oi oppositely extending ends disposed in generally parallel planes, an, offset portion integrally connecting said ends, one end of said spring being adapted to'liewithin a pen cap or the likemeans for securing said end in such position and theother end of said spring being adapted to hem spaced parallel relationship with the cap externally thereof and a clip including a portion slotted to engage and interlock with the exposed end of the spring, and a portion to embrace and conceal the projecting part or the offset, said clip having a recessed portion adjacent the slot therein of the .same shape as the extremities of thespring whereby the exposed spring end lies flush with the body or" the clip, and simulates an inlay.

8. In a device of the character described the combination with a cap provided with an open ing in its peripheryoi a tempered spring rigidly secured within the cap and having a bent portion extending out through the cap, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantially parallel to and out of contact with the periphery of the cap, a pocket clip element engaged, during preassembly with said second:

portion of the spring and locked against disengagement therefrom by its abutment with the cap as anincident of securing the spring within the cap.

9. In a device of the character described the combination with a cap provided with an opening in its periphery of a tempered spring fixedly secured within the cap and having a bent portion extending out through the cap, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantiallyrparallel to and out of contact with the periphery of the cap, a pocket clip element preassembled by a sliding interlock with said second portion of the spring and locked against disengagement therefrom by abutment with the cap as an incident of securing the spring within the cap;

10. In a device of the character described the combination with a cap provided with an opening in its periphery of a tempered spring fixedly secured within the cap and having a bent portion extending out through the cap, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantially parallel to andout of contact with the periphery of the cap, a pocket clip element engaged, during preassembly by a rocking and sliding interlock with said second portion of the spring and locked against disengagementtherefrom by its abutment with the cap as an incident of securing the spring within the cap.

11. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a cap provided with an open- 1 ing in its periphery of a tempered spring rigidly secured within the cap and having a bent portion extending out through the opening, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantially parallel to and out of contact with the periphery of the cap, a pocket clip element engaged by preassembly with said second portion of the spring and locked against disengagement therefrom as an incident of securing the spring within the cap, the clip including a curved upper end concealing the projecting bent portion of the spring and abutting the cap.

l2; Ina device of the character described, the

izo

combination with a cap provided with an open- 1 ing in its periphery of a tempered spring includclip element engaged by preassembly with said second portion of the spring and locked against disengagement therefrom by abutment with the cap as an incident of securing the spring within the cap, the clip including a curved upper end concealing the projecting bent portion of. the spring, and at its edge following the contour of the cap which it abuts.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cap provided with an opening in its periphery of a tempered spring, a bushing fixedly securing a portion secured within the cap anda bent portion extending out through the opening, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantially parallel to and outof contact with the periphery of .the cap, a pocket clip element engaged with said second portion of the spring and locked against disengagement therefrom by abutment with the cap as an incident of securing the spring within the cap,

the clip including a curved upper end concealing the projecting bent portion of the spring, said curvedportion including a pair ofpendant ears embracing the bent portion of the spring, and preventing relative lateral displacement of spring and clip.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination with a cap provided with an opening in its periphery of a tempered spring including a portion secured within the cap and a bent portion extending out through the opening, said bent portion merging into a second portion extending substantially parallel to and out of contact with the periphery of the cap, a pocket clip element engaged with said second portion of the spring, the outer extremity of the spring being of tapered triangular shape, said clip having a tapered triangular recess therein with an opening at its wider side to receive and accommodate the tapered spring end.

BENJAMIN W. HANLE. 

